John Brackett

Join musicologist John Brackett and Grateful Dead scholar David Gans as they explore the cultural significance of live recordings. John discusses how live tapes, both official and fan-made, shaped the band's legacy and audience authenticity. He highlights key moments like the challenges of capturing live energy in studio, the rise of bootleg culture, and the evolution of the Dead's archival strategy. With insights from his book, Live Dead, this conversation delves into the transformative power of the 'live' experience in music.

John Brackett, musicologist, discusses live recordings of the Grateful Dead and their influence on the band's history and mythology. Topics include the distinction between live and recorded music, the birth of the taper community, the role of engineer Dan Healy, and the appeal of Grateful Dead live recordings.